The Electric Connection’s Blog

GFCI Outlets–Why You Need Them Explains Electrician in Glendale

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you have never heard of or seen the outlets that are in new homes or office buildings, you are missing out on something that could potentially save you or a family member’s life. A GFCI outlet is an added layer of safety when it comes to dealing with two things that never mix well—water and electricity. No matter how cautious you are, there is always the chance of an accident happening that will mix the two and create a life-threatening situation. Your electrician in Glendale, like those at The Electric Connection, can help you protect your family by installing GFCI outlets.

GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. The outlets are designed to trip the breaker the instant the flow of electricity is interrupted. If you were to accidentally drop the mixer in the sink or spill a cup of water on it while you were using it, the outlet would trip the breaker and cut the flow of electricity. This prevents you from getting an electric shock. This would be the case if you were in the bathroom using a hairdryer or any other appliance. The outlets also work on cords that may be damaged and at risk of causing an electric shock.

The outlets will replace any current outlets you have in the kitchen or bathroom. You may have seen these before. They have small reset buttons usually in the middle between the top and bottom outlets. Because the outlets will need to be wired, the job will need to be completed by an electrician. Glendale homeowners will feel better about using their electric appliances in areas that are prone to accidents that involve electricity and water mixing. If you would like to learn more about GFCI outlets or are ready to make an appointment to have an electrician upgrade your current outlets, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Lighting Options Explained by Electrician in Burbank

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you are thinking about updating the existing lighting scheme in your home you may not realize there are a lot of different options to choose form. Nowadays, the standard single light fixture in the center of a room is outdated. There are so many new and exciting ways to light up your house. You will be amazed at what an electrician in Burbank can do with your current boring lighting scheme. The staff at The Electric Connection is here to help you transform your home into one that is bright and inviting.

Track Lighting

This is a great option for a kitchen or living room. Several lights are mounted along a track that runs straight or in a U-shape. The lights can be directed at different angles allowing you the freedom to light up a whole space with just one switch. You will have the freedom to choose the wattage of each bulb. This is like having 4 lights without the extra fixtures.

Recessed Lighting

These lights are great for areas where you don’t want anything hanging and getting in the way. It also has a very clean look that many people find desirable. The lights are mounted into the ceiling making them flush with ceiling. You can choose to have several lights installed that will light up an entire room without ever getting in the way of hanging pots and pans or hanging plants.

Undercounter LEDs

These are excellent options for bringing light into the dark areas of your home. Under the counter LEDs can be installed by an electrician. Burbank homeowners will be able to use their countertops freely without worrying about blocking the overhead light and risking an injury.
If you would like to learn more about the different lighting options or would like to schedule your appointment to have your lighting updated, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Don’t Delay–Call an Electrician in Beverly Hills for Minor Electrical Problems

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

It is natural for you to want to take care of some of the small things around your house. Sometimes it seems silly to call out a professional to fix a leaky faucet or to look at a light that doesn’t seem to want to work all the time. You may decide to wait until there are several problems that need attention before making the call to a professional. This isn’t always a good idea. Sometimes, the most innocent looking problems are actually much more serious than you may have thought. An electrician in Beverly Hills wants you to understand that even the smallest thing could mean big trouble for you and your home. At The Electric Connection you will find a team of professionals who are ready to answer any question you may have about your electrical system, even if you think it is silly.

Some of the most common things that are ignored are those intermittent lights or outlets. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. You may assume it is just one of those things and do without the light or find another outlet, but you shouldn’t. Outlets and lights that don’t work all the time are a sign of trouble and it needs to be investigated by an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners should know that these problems could be an indicator of faulty or loose wiring. If the wires touch or they could create a spark which will ignite the insulation in the wall thus setting off a chain of events that puts your life at risk and ultimately destroys your home.

Never assume an electrical problem is not a big deal. It is worth a call to an electrician. You can rely on The Electric Connection to answer any questions you may have and to provide you with a knowledgeable electrician should you need it.

Telecommute with Help of an Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If your job involves you working in an office every day, have you considered working from home either on a full time or part time basis? With gas prices rising, more people are choosing to work from home and telecommute rather than pay the money for gas and deal with the frustration of sitting in traffic. There are plenty of other benefits from working out of your own home along with a few tax breaks. You will need an electrician in Los Angeles to help you make the transition from driving to work every day to walking across the hall to your office. The team at The Electric Connection is ready to help you make that happen.

If you already have a spare room you can transfer into your workspace, you are already halfway there. Your initial investment will be fairly low. If you need to add on an additional room to your home or build a separate structure, your initial investment will be a little higher, but in the end you can rest easy knowing you have made an investment in your home.

Part of the renovation process will include adding additional outlets, phone lines and installing a light fixture that is suitable for office work. This will all need to be handled by an electrician. Los Angeles residents will have the ability to decide where the outlets will be placed. Sometimes, it is convenient to have outlets placed higher up on the wall rather than common placement near the floor. You will also have the ability to decide where the data lines will be located. Your electrician will complete the install and leave your new work space looking like a professional office that you will feel comfortable working out of. Give The Electric Connection a call today and get started on your home office.

LED Light Strips Transform Your Home by Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

As you explore different lighting options for your kitchen, you may want to check out LED light strips. You can have the strips installed virtually anywhere. If you have ever seen LED lighting, you know it is very bright. Amazingly, the bulbs are super small and extremely energy efficient. If you are looking for a solution to your lighting troubles under the counters in your kitchen, around the vanity in the bathroom or even an adequate reading light in your bedroom, consider having an electrician in Santa Monica help you with the installation of one of these affordable LED light strips. At The Electric Connection, you will find knowledgeable staff who are willing to help you take care of the little electrical jobs around the house.

The light strips can be bought at your local home improvement store in various sizes. They are sold in strips that allow you to cut the strips into the desired length for placement under your kitchen counters or over your headboard. Because there is some electrical work involved, you will want to have the installation completed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners will be amazed to discover how bright just a single light can be. They can transform a dark area, like your closet, into a bright, inviting space with just the flick of a switch.

Now, you are probably thinking LED lights are great for some things, but it can be a little overwhelming at times. There is an answer to that. Your electrician can equip the light strip with a dimmer switch. This allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. The best part about LEDs is the energy savings. They use just a mere 36 watts. If you are ready to transform your dark closet or under counter space, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Old Kitchens Made Modern with Electrician in Pasadena

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Have you ever walked into your kitchen and tried to use the toaster only to discover it had been unplugged. Then you remember you unplugged it because you needed to use the can opener and didn’t want to unplug the Crockpot, interrupting your dinner. If you have ever experienced anything like this, then you probably need the help of an electrician in Pasadena, like those at The Electric Connection. Stop the frustration by having an electrician install additional outlets in your kitchen.

Older homes that have been renovated and made more modern tend to overlook the outlet situation in the kitchen. Fifty years ago, kitchen appliances were very minimal or considered a major luxury. In today’s world, we can’t make coffee or open a can of beans without an electrical outlet. With all the lovely appliances available today that make our lives easier, it is only normal we would want the power to use them.

You can remedy the situation with the help of an electrician. Pasadena residents can transform their kitchen into a space that works for them by having additional outlets installed. Before this can happen, the electrician will need to check out the existing electric panel to determine whether or not the current breaker can support more outlets. In most cases, an additional breaker may be needed to support the outlets. This is something an electrician can take care of for you. When it is time to install the new outlets, it is a good idea to have the electrician replace the old outlets in the kitchen with GFCI outlets. These are the standard in new home construction in the kitchen and bathroom areas. They prevent electric shock if water is splashed on an appliance. If you are ready to make your kitchen start working for you, give The Electric Connection a call today.

6 Simple Energy Savings Tips by Electrician in Glendale

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Doesn’t it always feel like no matter how well you budget and save, you are always looking in your bank account for just a few extra dollars? Maybe you have already buttoned down your spending and can’t really find any other places in the budget where you can cut back. An electrician in Glendale is here to provide you with some tips that can help lighten the burden of your electric bill. We all know every little bit helps. You can always count on The Electric Connection to answer any questions you may have about energy savings.

1-If you haven’t already done it, get rid of those incandescent light bulbs and replace them with CFLs. You could easily save $15 to $20 a month (possibly more) on lighting costs.

2-Turn down your water heater a couple of degrees. There is really no reason to have scalding hot water coming out of the tap. You can save a few dollars by not making your water heater work overtime heating water to a temperature you will not be able to use it at.

3-Have a ceiling fan installed by an electrician. Glendale homeowners will soon realize the energy savings the fans provide in the winter and the summer.

4-Invest in heavy curtains to block out the heat of the sun in the summer and the cold draft in the winter. This will help cut down on your heating and cooling costs.

5-Skip the drying cycle on the dishwasher and let the dishes air dry or use a towel to dry them by hand.

6-Consider using a clothesline in the summer to dry your laundry. You can also use a drying rack inside the home to cut down on the need for the dryer.

These are just a few things you can do to help reduce your electricity bill. There are plenty of other ways you can save. Give The Electric Connection a call today to learn more.

Transforming Dark Spaces to Inviting Areas with Electrician in Burbank

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Your home is yours to do with as you wish. There is no one size fits all and you will likely want to customize it to suit your needs. That is one of the joys of owning your home. You can paint the walls any color you choose and can use each room to suit your needs. Sometimes, there is a lot of extra space in the home that is going to waste. Your basement and the attic are often used as storage, but what if you could transform the area into a more comfortable storage space or even a living space? With a little help from a contractor and an electrician in Burbank, it is usually possible. You can feel confident when you call The Electric Connection that you will get a knowledgeable, experienced electrician to help you realize your dreams of more living space in your home.

If you just want to turn your storage space into a place that is a little more inviting, it is a good idea to have new lights installed by an electrician. Burbank residents will appreciate being able to see everything they have stored away. Often times a single light in the center of the space is all that is provided. This leaves the corners dark and tall shelves will block the light from really spreading out. An electrician can install new lighting to brighten up the space and make it much more user friendly.

You can also transform your basement into a man cave complete with outlets and light fixtures that make it much more habitable. An attic space is also a great place for a reading nook. You will need a couple of outlets to plug in fans, cell phone chargers or lamps. If you are ready to get the most out of your home, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Spring Home Improvement with Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you are in the mood for a little spring cleaning or home improvement, you are likely looking around your home and thinking you could use some new lights. Lighting can make or break a room. Dark, dingy lighting can make a room look small or even outdated despite new furniture or a nice coat of paint on the walls. An electrician in Los Angeles can help give your room a facelift. You can count on The Electric Connection to provide you with a knowledgeable electrician who has the experience needed to make it happen.

Your dining room, kitchen or even your bathroom will be transformed with the installation of a new light fixture. It is amazing to see how different a room can look with just the right lighting. Your kitchen should be bright and inviting. Bright areas are ideal when you are working with sharp knives and need to see ingredients as well as read labels. There are plenty of options when it comes to enhancing your kitchen workspace. Track lighting is an ideal option.

Because electricity is involved, it is best to leave the Los Angeles electrical work to a professional. It isn’t a good idea to try and wire in a new light fixture if you are not trained for it. Not only do you risk your life, but you risk the safety of your home. A fixture that isn’t wired correctly may work initially, but overtime, it can be a serious fire hazard.

While you are thinking about upgrading your lighting, take a look at your living room as well. You can use track lighting or the more popular recessed lighting. This is an ideal option for the newest trend of mounting flat screen televisions to the wall. This insures your view will not be obstructed by a hanging lamp. If you would like to get started on your spring improvement plan, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Power Outage Preparation Makes Life Easier Says Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Being prepared for anything is nearly impossible, but you can be prepared for some of the little eventualities in life like a power outage. If you are prepared for the outage it is a lot less inconvenient than if you were taken completely off guard. Power outages happen for numerous reasons. Most of the time the outages are not long in duration, but there are times the outages can be extensive and your life is sorely interrupted. An electrician in Santa Monica has some advice for you to follow before an outage happens so you can be ready to deal with the aftermath. At The Electric Connection, you will find a team of knowledgeable electricians who can provide you with service to deal with any electrical problems caused by an outage. There are times appliances malfunction after a power outage. You can prevent this from happening by having a whole home surge protector installed.

You can also prepare for the lack of lights by putting a couple of flashlights along with extra batteries in a safe place that you can easily find when the lights are off. A kitchen drawer, a nightstand table or near the front door are all good places. Along with flashlights you will want to have a supply of emergency candles along with matches or a lighter. Don’t forget to keep candleholders handy as well. If you are not comfortable with using candles or relying on flashlights, you can talk with a Santa Monica electrician about installing a standby generator.

Keep the phone number of the power company handy as well. Most power companies will have an emergency number. This is the number you would call to find out how long the outage will last. If you have any more questions or would like to learn more about generators or surge protectors, give The Electric Connection a call today.